James and Karla Murray's new Book– Store Front: The Disappearing Face of NY– captures the charm of an era gone by. (My mother calls it the flava.) NY Magazine reports that a third of the businesses that are featured in the book have closed since the Murrays began the project eight years ago. Granted, most of these could use a face lift… a fresh coat of paint at the very least. Sometimes it's those quirky details that make you stop and notice. I just wish more people would maintain their vintage signs. We've heard from a couple of businesses that the upkeep and electrical bills on those older signs is crazy money. Too bad, because they're just so cool.
These small businesses are what make a neighborhood feel like a neighborhood. A great example of the difference when chains take over is Kenmore Sq. here in Boston. I'm not going to deny it, Kenmore was a hole. But it was a hole with character. Great record stores, dive bars, great fro-yo. Big names moved in. Now, it feels like Disneyland. Where's the flava?
0 comments:
Post a Comment